What happened: Discussion of 2014 city budget delayed
What it means: Two separate budgets will be sorted out and the council will vote to approve one. Curtis Coonrod of the city’s contracted accounting firm, C.L. Coonrod and Co., said taxes won’t increase and the budget is funded. He said the difference in the two budgets stemmed from a failure to disburse old public pension savings. Coonrod said no pension cuts would be made, it was just a necessary administrative measure after the state began funding the pensions in 2011. Public employee salaries will be discussed at the same time.
What’s next: The public hearing on a proposed budget for 2014 will be conducted at the Oct. 7 council meeting.
What happened: $3.4 million allocated for extending Illinois Street
What it means: Money in the city’s Thoroughfare Fund and Keystone Improvement Fund could be transferred to a fund to extend Illinois Street in advance of U.S. 31 construction. This could reduce the amount of a bond needed to help fund the project.
What’s next: Subject of public hearing at Oct. 7 council meeting.
What happened: Range Line Road development standards changed
What it means: The city would still encourage the construction of two-story buildings, but a single story building that’s at least 17 feet tall would be allowed.
What’s next: No more action needed
What happened: Allocated money for projects surrounding City Center What it means: The council approved three contracts to pay American Structurepoint a total of $125,000 for professional services in regard to the construction of The Mezz and Nash buildings adjacent to City Center and for future planning purposes.
What’s next: No more action needed
What happened: Rezoned a portion of unbuildable land
What it means: A parcel of land on the northeast corner of the intersection of Old Meridian Street and Carmel Drive on which the owners hope to develop a new Horizon Bank that had two separate zoning designations.
What’s next: Plan Commission will make a recommendation and return it to council.
Other News: Eric Seidensticker said the often-delayed bike lanes ordinance will likely be resolved with a compromise from the city attorney and a judge. He detailed legitimate scheduling conflicts between the two that had previously delayed the ordinance.